Matthew Maton of Bend, Ore., wrote his name into the history books on Friday night at Hayward Field, running 3:59.38 for the mile to become just the sixth U.S. high schooler (5th American) to break 4:00. We recap the race, have analysis and video at this link. If you’re just looking for video keep reading below.

America Meet Your Latest Sub 4

After the race, Dave Ross spoke to Maton for LetsRun.com. Maton said (video below) that he was focused on going sub four here, as he had run 3:42.54 for 1500m at the Oregon Relays last month (equivalent to a sub 4 mile) and this was the last race of the year where he was going to focus on time versus winning the race.

“I knew you’re not supposed to fixate on running sub four if you’re going to do it as you’re going to put too much pressure on yourself, but I would have been disappointed if I didn’t (do it),” he said. He said that after a gap opened up to the lead group at the end of the second lap he thought, ‘Oh gosh I lost it’, but his future Oregon teammates (Chris Brewer and Trent Warren we belive) helped keep him in it.

Once he hit the bell he said, “I was a little behind time where I liked to be, so I knew I really had to work the last lap. I just put it all on the line the last lap and it worked out.”